Educational apparatus for teachers



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. M00. PARR. EDUCATIONAL APPARATUS FOR TEAGHERS.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

M. McG. PARR. EDUCATIONAL APPARATUS FOR TEACHERS.

No. 600,234. Patented Mar. 8,1898.

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will usually be toward the pupils.

Unrrnn STATES PATENT Urricn.

MATTHEW MOCLELLAN PARR, OF KNOVLTON, IOTVA.

EDUCATIONAL APPARATUS FOR TEACHERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,234, dated March 8, 1898.

Application filed July 31, 1897. Serial No. 646,663. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW McCLELLAN PARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Knowlton, in the county of Ringgold and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Educational Apparatus for Teachers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to educational apparatus for teachers, its object being to provide in a compact and convenient form a teachers desk or table provided with a series of compartments and receptacles in which most of the educational appliances commonly used in schools can be conveniently stored when not in use, and which desk is also provided with folding and telescoping devices to be respectively used to support in position for use a dictionary or other reference-book, a globe, and the various charts and maps Which are used in the different branches of education.

Vith this object in view the invention con sists of the several details of construction and combination and arrangement of the several' parts hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a desk or table made in accordance with my invention, looking at the side which Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the table or desk. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper joint of the map-support, the section being taken on the line 4 at of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the joint. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the lower joint in its locked position. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the joint unlocked.

Similar reference-numerals indicate similar parts in the several figures.

The supporting-legs of the desk or table are indicated by 1, the front and rear side rails by 2, and the end rails by 3. The side and end rails will be secured to the legs in any ordinary or approved manner, and the top 4 will be secured to the side rails in any ordinary manner.

Immediately below the top 4 a rectangular tube 5 is supported in any suitable manner by the end rails 3, said'tube extending the entire length of the desk. The vertical sides of this tube are provided with grooves 6 to receive the side edges of the flattened end 7 of a bar 8. The end 7 is secured in a block 9, which is adapted to slide freely in the tube 5 and to firmly support the end 7 of the bar and afford an extended bearing to maintain the bar 8 in a horizontal position. The bar Sis bifurcated at its outer end to form the arms 10, each of which is provided with a downwardly-extending ear 11. These ears are provided with grooves 12 on their inner faces and also withsuitable openings at their upper ends, in which the pin 13 is supported to turn freely. This pin 13 is provided with a slot 14, through which a flat bar 15 is adapted to work. The bar 15 is provided with lugs 15 to seat in the grooves 12 and with a head or flange 16, adapted to rest on the upper ends of the cars 11 when the bar is in a vertical position. The bar is also provided with shoulders 16, immediately below the flange 16, adapted to fit in the grooves 12, and these shoulders will aid the lugs 15 to lock the bar 15 in its Vertical position.

17 indicates a pin secured in the end of the bar 15 to prevent its withdrawal from the slot 14.

From the flanged end of the bar 15 a rod 18 projects, over which a tube 19 is fitted to turn freely thereon. The outer end of the tube 19 is forked, as indicated at 20, and from the ends of the respective arms of the foikspaced parallel cars 21 extend. These ears are provided with grooves 22 on their inner faces and are also perforated at their outer ends to receive the pin 23, which is supported to turn freely therein, and this pin 23 is provided with a slot 24, extending transversely through it. The rod 18 extends entirely through the tube 19 and between the arms of the fork to project a short distance beyond them, and the outer end of the rod is provided with a ring 25 for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to.

26 indicates a flat bar of a width substantially equal to the space between the inner faces of the cars 21, and this bar is provided with lugs 27 on each side to fit in the grooves 22 and to slide therein. These lugs must not exceed in width the diameter of the pin 23 in order that they may be entirely inclosed by the pin 23 to permit the latter to turn in its bearings. The bar is also provided with shoulders 27, adapted to engage in the grooves and pushed into the tubes 5.

22 to aid the lugs 27 to maintain the bar 26 in a horizontal position. The bar is provided with a recess 28 to receive the rod 18, and the recessed end is provided with hooks 29 to engage the pin 23 and prevent the withdrawal of the bar 26. A plate 30 is secured to the other end of the bar 26 at a right angle thereto, and this plate projects beyond opposite faces of the said bar.

31 indicates tubular rods, which are secured to, the plate 30 in any suitable manner and prpject therefrom in a plane parallel with the plane of the bar 26, and on these tubular rods the tubes 32 are fitted to slide freely. 'A plate 33 is secured to the outer ends of the tubes 32, and this plate, as well as the plate 30, is suitably perforated to receive the spindles 34 and 35, respectively, of the roller of a map or chart 36.

This part of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1 in position to display a map or chart to the pupils, and it is obvious that on account of the adjustability of the tubes 32 on the tubes 31 the plates 33 and 30 may be adjusted relatively to each other, and the device will therefore be capable of supporting maps or charts of varying widths, and the roller-spindles of the charts or maps may be easily fitted in the plates 30 and 33. WVhen it is desired to fold the map-supporting device, the bar will be moved forwardly until its lugs 27 are within the slot in the pin 23, when the tubes 31 and 32 may be folded down parallel to the tube 19. The bar will then be lifted upwardly until its lugs 15 are within the slot 14 of the pin 13, when the tubes 19, 31, and 32 can be swung down to a horizontal plane It is my intention to have a map of the United States secured in position on the map-holder and stored away with it in the tube 5. Then it is desired to withdraw the map and the map-support from the tube 5, the ring will' be grasped and the tubes pulled forwardly until the front end of the block 9 engages the inner face of the end rail 3, the opening in the end rail being somewhat smaller in dimensions than the block 9. The tubes 19, 31, and 32 can then be moved to the position indi cated in Fig. 1 and the locking-hinges will hold them in this position.

Immediately belowthe tube 5 two round metal tubes 37 are supported by the end rails 3, and four other similar metal tubes 37 are supported by the end rails 3, one above the other, just to one side of the tube 5. A series of wire tubes, preferably twenty, (indicated by 28,) are also supported by the end rail and a rail 39, extending across between the front and rear side rails intermediate the end rails 3. 40 indicates a door which is hinged to the lower edge of the rail 3, which supports the open ends of the tubes, and this door is provided with any suitable lock (indi-. cated by 41) to hold the door 40 in its closed position, thereby closing the open ends of all the tubes. The long tubes 37 are intended to contain maps of the five. great divisions, leaving one of the tubes empty for the purpose of changes. The short tubes 38 are designed to contain the physiological and reading maps and charts and a State map. These maps and charts are each attached to a common window-shade roller, and either one of them can therefore be supported by the mapholder by simply adjusting the tubes 31 and 32 to suit the length of the map or chart.

42 indicates a case which is supported on the desk-top at one end thereof, and this case is provided with a series of compartments numbered, respectively, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48, each compartment being provided with a suitable door to close it. 43 is designed to contain mathematical and experimental blocks. Compartment 47, which is provided with a false bottom 49 for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to, is designed to contain crayons, erasers, 850. The compartment is designed to contain the inkwells, and, as shown, this compartment is located in the middle portion of the case and is provided with a double wall 50 at its end adjacent to the front of the case. The object of using this compartment for ink-wells and providing it with a double wall at its exposed end is to prevent the ink from freezing. The compartment 46 may be used for storing miscellaneous articles, as may also the drawer 51, with which the desk is provided. The compartment 44 is designed to contain a globe 52, which is pivotally supported in the usual manner by a ring 53. An arm 54 is secured to the ring 53 in any suitable manner, and is provided at its outer end with a sleeve 55, fitted on the vertical arm 56 of a bent rod, and the horizontal arm 57 of this rod is slidably supported in tubular bearings 58, secured to one of the walls of the compartment 44 in any suitable manner. Theinner end of the horizontal arm 57 extends through the partition between the compartments 44 and 46, and when the globe is within the compartment 44 the arm 57 will extend into the compartment 46. The globe is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 in position for use and is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 inside the compartment 44. The compartment 48 is designed to receive the dietionary or other reference-book and its support. This support consists of two rods 59, adapted to slide within the tubes 60, the latter being secured in position below the false bottom 49 in the compartment 47. are connected together near their ends by a series of rods 61, which are connected to a series of collars 62, fitted on the said rods, and being of substantially the same diameter as the tubes 60 in order to rest upon the bottom of the compartment 48 to support the said rods in a horizontal plane.

63 represents leaves, which are pivoted on the rods 59 at their outer end portions and are adapted to swing from a vertical to a horizontal position, or vice versa. These leaves are pivoted on the rods between adjacent col- The compartment- The bars lars 62, and each leaf is provided with a shoulder 64 at each side, adapted to engage a shoulder 65, formed in each of the sleeves between which the leaves are pivoted, and the shoulders are adapted to engage each other to limit the movement of the leaves in their upward and downward movement. The leaves will thus be firmly held in a horizontal plane to support the book in its open position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. One of the leaves is provided with a hinged clasp 66, which is provided with a perforation 67, adapted to fit over a pin (58 on the other leaf to hold the two leaves in their vertical position and the book in its closed position. When the leaves are folded up and secured, the book and the support can together be pushed into the compartment 48 or be withdrawn therefrom, a finger-hold 69 being provided for this purpose.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided in a very compact and convenient form suitable receptacles for the storage of most of the appliances used in a school for educational purposes when the same are not in use and that such appliances will be effectually protected from dirt and from being improperly used. By having the mapsupporting device adjustable it may be used to support maps of different Widths, and as the tube 19 is free to turn on the rod 18 the map may be turned at any angle to display it to the best advantage to the pupils. The same may be said equally well of the globe supporting device, since it also can be swung to any angle desired. One of the great advantages 'of my invention is the provision of a frost-proof compartment for the reception of the ink-wells. In cold climates, and especially in the country districtsavhere the fires in a school-room are usually made every morning, great trouble is experienced on account of the ink freezing during the night; but by the use of my invention'this difficulty will be overcome and the ink will be protected against extreme cold by storing it in the compartment 45, which, as shown, is surrounded by deadair spaces on three of its sides and on the other side is provided with adouble wall.

It will be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- 1. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk provided with a tube, of a bar slidably supported in said tube, and a map-support hinged to the bar and foldable into parallel relation thereto to slide in and out of the tube with the bar, substantially as described.

2. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk provided with a tube, of a bar slidably supported in said tube, and a map-support hinged to the outer end of the bar, said support being formed of hinged sections foldablein parallel relation to each other and to the bar to slide in and out of the tube with the bar, substantially as described.

3. In an educational apparatus, the combination With a desk, of a map-support c011- nected thereto and formed in sections hinged together, one of said sections being supported in a vertical plane and the other in a horizontal plane, and the latter being adjustable longitudinally to support maps or charts of varying lengths, substantially as described.

4. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk having a compartment, of a rod mounted to slide in said compartment, and a globe having a swiveled connection to the outer end of the rod and adapted to slide with the rod in and out of the compartment, substantially as described.

5. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk provided with a rectangular tube having grooves in its vertical sides, of a bar having a flattened end slidably supported in said grooves, a block secured to the flattened end of the bar to tit snugly in said tube and slide therein, and a folding map-support hinged to said bar and slidable in and out of said tube, substantially as described.

6. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk provided with a tube, of a bar slidably supported in said tube, a standard having a locking-hinge connection, With the said bar, and map-supporting rods having a locking-hinge connection to said standard, the said rods and standards being adapted to fold together and to slide in and out of the tube, substantially as described.

7. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk provided with a tube, of a bar slidably supported in said tube, a rod hinged to the outer end of the bar, means to detachably lock the said rod in a vertical position, a tube fitted over said rod to turn thereon, telescoping tubes hinged to the upper end of the vertical tube, means to detachably lock said telescoping tubes in a horizontal plane, and perforated plates carried by the telescoping tubes to receive the spindles of a map or chart roller, said telescoping tubes and the vertical tube and rod being adapted to be folded together and to slide in and out of the tube in the desk, substantially as described.

8. In an educational apparatus, a folding map-holder comprising a sliding horizontal supporting -bar provided with spaced ears having grooves on their inner faces, a pin journaled to turn in said ears and having a slot adapted to register with said grooves, a fiat bar slidably supported in said slot and having lugs on its sides adapted to engage said grooves to lock the pin against turning and hold the bar in a vertical position, and to be seated in said slot to permit the pin to turn axially to bring the bar to a horizontal position, a standard carried by the said bar, map-supporting rods hinged to the standard,

and means to detachably lock the said rods in a horizontal plane, substantially as described.

9 In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk, of a series of cylindrical tubes of different lengths supported horizontally below the desk-top to receive maps and charts of different lengths, a rectangular tube also supported below the desk-top, a bar slidably supported in said rectangular tube, and a folding map-support having a hinged connection to'said bar and slidable in and out of the rectangular tube with the bar, said support being adjustable to receive any of said maps or charts, substantially as described.

10. In an educational apparatus,the combination-with a desk, of a case supported thereon and divided into compartments, a rod slidably supported in one of said compartments on a horizontal plane and having its outer end bent at substantially a right angle,

a sleeve pivoted on the bent portion of said arm, a ring connected to said sleeve, and a globe pivotally supported in said ring, Whereby the globe may be moved into or out of the compartment and also be adjusted on the sliding rod, substantially as described.

11. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk, of a case supported thereon and divided into compartments, spaced,

horizontal sleeves firmly secured to the bottom of said casing, rods slidably supported by said sleeves and extending beyond them into one of said compartments, said rods being adapted to slide out through the open end of the said compartment, hinged leaves on said rods adapted to swing from a vertical to a horizontal position or vice versa, and to support a book, means to limit the downward movement of the leaves, and a device to lock them in their horizontal position, said leaves and book being adapted to slide in and out of the said compartment, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

, 12. In an educational apparatus, the combination with a desk, of a case supported thereon and divided into a series of compartments, one of said compartments having a false bottom, spaced tubes secured between said false bottom and the bottom of the case, rods slidably supported in said tubes and extended beyond them into the adjacent compartment, a series of collars on said rods of substantially the same diameter as the tubes, leaves hinged on said rods between adjacent collars and adapted to swing from a vertical to a horizontal position, or vice versa, and to support a book, interlocking shoulders on the leaves and the collars to limit the downward movement of the leaves, and a device to look the leaves together in their vertical position, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MATTHEIV MCOLELLAN PARR.

lVitnesses:

E. MoGINTY,

E. R. PALMER. 

